Highlighting the ever rising threat perception and security concerns in the wake of continued hostility by neighbouring nations, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Friday said that threat of use of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons has increased.

Speaking during a press conference in New Delhi, General Rawat pointed that threat of use of unconventional warfare by ‘non-state’ actors has increased.”The threat of the use of CBRN (Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear) weapons is becoming a reality, particularly from the non-state actors,” the Army chief said without naming the terror groups operating from Pakistan.

General Rawat expressed the hope that Indian agencies such as the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) are prepared to tackle such threats.

“I am sure that DRDO’s long term perspective plan in conjunction and integrated perspective plan of the services must have encompassed the development of mitigation of technologies against such CBRN threats,” he said. (Also Read: Major Reduction of Chinese Troops in Doklam, Says Army Chief Bipin Rawat)

“We need modern weapons and technology. We have to look at what we require to fight the future wars. We have to get systems that are best suited for our requirements,” he added.

‘China Exerting Pressure, But We’re Dealing With it’

Responding to the a question concerning border issues with China, General Rawat admitted that Beijing was flexing its muscles, but assured that Indian forces are well prepared to respond to any escalation.

“Yes, China is exerting pressure. We are dealing with it. Yes we should try that it is not escalated. We will not allow our territory to intruded. Troops are earmarked, should a situation arise our troops are ready to cater,” General Rawat said.China and India were engaged in a 73-day tense standoff at Doklam in the Sikkim sector which ended on August 28 last year. On Doklam, China has been asserting that the area which was also been claimed by Bhutan belonged to it.

The Doklam standoff, the longest in recent years between the two nations, ended after China agreed to stop road construction and India withdrew its troops.

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